Abstract
This is a descriptive study of quantitative approach, developed at the Federal University of Rondônia located in the Western Amazon. With the aim of analyzing the frequency of visualization of alcoholic content in the Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, patterns of consumption, reasons that lead them to drink, most used social network and to correlate how often the users are exposed to alcoholic publications, determining if there was an important link between individual drinking practice during the beginning period and six months later. The information was obtained through the application of questionnaires for incoming students of the freshmen semester, in two moments: a period from August to December 2016/2, and, asking the same students again, from March to June 2017/1. 52.8% were males in 2016/2 and 57, 9% of females in 2017/1 with age ranging between 18 and 20 years in both periods. Facebook has proven to be the most used platform among college students. In 2016/2, 63.9% reported seeing alcohol content at Facebook and consuming that substance, comparing to Instagram with 70.4%, and to Snapchat with 74.1%. In 2017/2, academics reporting viewing alcoholic content on Facebook and consuming those alcoholic beverages accounted for 65.8%, compared to Instagram, 74.1% and Snapchat 74.4%. “Celebrating a special occasion with friends” is the most cited reason of why claim to consume alcohol. Therelation between exposure to the alcohol content of the virtual media and the network of friends was found imperceptible to the majority of the students, as they mostly do not consider themselves exposed. Many university students start the graduation already consuming alcoholic substances, which explains why there is no significant change in alcohol consumption between the observed moments, although it was found a relationship between the visualization of alcohol content in social networks and consumption, with greater impact on Snapchat.
Highlights
Over the years, social networks are gaining ground and gradually becoming a major leisure habits
Why there is no significant change in alcohol consumption between the observed moments, it was found a relationship between the visualization of alcohol content in social networks and consumption, with greater impact on Snapchat
A total of 319 academics were interviewed in both moments, in 2016/2 the male public had a higher prevalence with 52.8% and in 2017/1 the female sex was 57.9%, the predominant age group was found between 18 and 20 years in the two moments, according to Table 1
Summary
Social networks are gaining ground and gradually becoming a major leisure habits. Users access networks for different purposes, such as playing games, talking to friends, posting photos, and other entertainment activities [1]. This way, just like people progressively use social networks, they publish more and more personal information online [2]. Teenagers and young adults are the most connected to these social platforms, like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are related to a freedom of expression, posting content in real time, showing moments, binging a greater exposure to the daily life moments, which applies to alcohol consumption [3]. According to the World Health Organization [4], alcohol is the most widely used drug in the world and it is estimated that around two billion people use it, at any degree
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
